Splash Mountain closing at Disneyland: Why it shut down and what Disney plans next. Disneyland's Splash Mountain has officially closed after more than 33 years at the California resort.
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Splash Mountain is permanently closing in Disneyland (and has already closed in Disney World) to make room for a new attraction called Tiana's Bayou Adventure. Over in Florida, construction on this ride transformation is already underway.
The closing of the 30-year-old ride — which Princess Diana visited in 1993 — follows years of calls for change because it features several characters from Disney's 1946 film Song of the South, which featured racist stereotypes.
Following controversy, Splash Mountain is now closed for redesign and will reopen as Tiana's Bayou Adventure in late 2024. Fans had one final run down Splash Mountain in Florida's Disney World on Sunday, before it closed for good. It had been in operation since 1992.
Splash Mountain, one of the theme park's most famous rides, features music and characters from the controversial 1946 film, “Song of the South.” The movie follows a young boy at a Georgia plantation during the Reconstruction era. The film has been criticized for using racist stereotypes and glorifying plantation life.
In case you've missed it, people are selling (what they claim is) water from Disney World's Splash Mountain, the famed ride that's getting reimagined because of its connections to the racist old movie Song of the South.
Splash Mountain closed on January 23rd for a long refurbishment. The ride is being re-themed to become Tiana's Bayou Adventure, with a Princess and the Frog theme. The new ride will reopen sometime in late 2024.
Back in June 2020, calls to remove Splash Mountain came amid the wave of companies across the U.S. renaming, removing, and rebranding racist institutions. The push for brands to reexamine racist messaging followed worldwide protests sparked by the death of George Floyd.
In April 2022, Tokyo Disneyland's owner – the Oriental Land Company (OLC) – announced that Space Mountain would close in 2024 to pave the way for a reimagined experience. Alongside the ride, a newly developed plaza will be constructed, creating a fresh vision for Tomorrowland.
Saying Goodbye. It's official… Splash Mountain at Disneyland will take its final plunge on May 30, 2023. The attraction will be officially closed as of May 31 to begin the transformation into Tiana's Bayou Adventure…and yes, this time Disneyland has confirmed the date.
According to Disneyland officials, the renovation project is expected to last more than a year. The re-imagined ride, which will be called Tiana's Bayou Adventure, is scheduled to open in late 2024.
Disney's imagineers will transform Splash Mountain into a Mardi Gras celebration with a new name: Tiana's Bayou Adventure. The ride was originally based on the controversial Disney film, Song of the South, which critics say portray racial stereotypes.
On top of that, trips to Europe appear to be cannibalizing demand for domestic theme parks this year — likely both contributing to the downturn. In addition to the stormy political climate, experts also point to extreme weather and heat in Florida as a contributing factor.
The film, set on a plantation, features an elderly Black man known as Uncle Remus who tells traditional African American folk tales to white children cared for by Black servants. Walter White, the former executive secretary of the NAACP, said the film helps to perpetuate a dangerously glorified picture of slavery.
Refurbishments & New ConstructionsOn October 16, Moana Journey of Water will open at Epcot. Splash Mountain closed permanently beginning January 23, 2023. The ride is slated to reopen as Tiana's Bayou Adventure in late 2024.
Splash Mountain Closing at Disneyland & Disney WorldMagic Kingdom's Splash Mountain creatures sang their last notes in January of 2023, and Disneyland's on May 31, 2023. Now, the ride has closed its doors forever.